Match date switched after BNP cancellation

A Premiership football match switched because of a British National Party rally will be played on the original date.

Everton were due to play strugglers Stoke City at Goodison on Saturday 14 March at 3pm.

The far-right BNP announced a Liverpool rally on the same day and the club postponed the game by 24 hours after Merseyside Police said it would struggle to police both events.

The BNP have now cancelled their city centre rally, allowing the top flight tie to return to its scheduled spot.

Everton's head of PR, Ian Ross, said: "Since the game was moved from Saturday to Sunday, we have received numerous calls and emails from our supporters disappointed with the decision.

"We do understand their frustrations and when the police indicated they would permit the game to be played on the Saturday, we felt it was wholly appropriate to return the fixture to its original date.

"This is, of course, not without its problems and there will be some supporters who will be inconvenienced by the changes.

"We will work with those fans to find suitable solutions and this will include potential reimbursement for travel and accommodation."